On the face of it, the German squad does not have a number 1 driver, but with less than half the season left to go, and arguably now the fastest car, the last-start winner is Lewis Hamilton.

The Briton's deficit to title leader Sebastian Vettel, however, is 48 points.

Marko told Auto Bild: "We are taking Mercedes very seriously.

"Last year we were 44 points behind Alonso after the summer break, and yet we were world champion in the end. That's how fast things can change.

"Now is their chance and they will put everything on Hamilton," Marko predicted.

But a bold statement like that, particularly from the outspoken arch-enemy, might be seen as a mere attempt to unsettle Mercedes, with Hamilton's teammate Nico Rosberg having won two Grands Prix so far this season.

It is understandable that the German team is playing down its chances.